Musicality Rocks The Library

This is the third ‘Musicality’ that LAMPS have devised and each one seems to get better and better. This one was slightly different in as much as there was a story. It tells of the fight of the locals against  local bureaucracy who are trying to pull down a local amenity, namely the library, to build houses to add to their coffers. The library is set in the village of Wibbly on Sea, they even had a vicar of Wibbly – see what they did there! Needless to say, all’s well that ends well when an archaeological column is found in the library basement and the library is saved.

The set was very simple with movable trucks that either depicted the library or turned round for council offices. All moved by either cast or backstage crew seamlessly. The back cloth which hid the on-stage band looked like rows of books. Costumes mainly modern, but where necessary matched, even down to same colour jeans and shoes – nice cohesive touch. The band was the same set up used for LAMPS last production and again they were superb. It was nice to see them given a ‘spot’ on their own. Lighting design by Harvey Ebbage  was excellent but I don’t think I am going to win the battle of the roving spotlights!. 

Altogether there were 29 different songs either solos or ensemble, some I knew but others not so familiar, but they all seemed to fit in with the narrative of the story – very clever. The choreography – superb, involving just about all of the large cast. Singing and dancing by soloists and ensemble was mesmerising, such a lot of songs and routines to remember.

There was indeed a large cast with too many to mention by name but what an outstanding performance by Hollie Evans as Libby Reader, the Librarian, I don’t think she stopped smiling throughout. The rest of the cast infused enthusiasm and enjoyment which permeated to the audience. Adele Ebbage as director and choreographer never disappoints in anything in which she is involved. Not too much more one can say about a show that was just perfect in every way.

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